What is a “vestry”? 

In the Episcopal Church, a “vestry” is the congregational council for a parish, made up of elected representatives who are responsible for the financial stewardship and physical maintenance of the church’s buildings and grounds. The Vestry works alongside the Rector to discern and carry out the church’s vision and mission.

The Vestry is led by a senior representative known as the Senior Warden, who acts as the primary liaison between the congregation and the clergy, helping to promote good communication and ensure mutual understanding of our common mission. The Vestry is also supported by a Junior Warden whose duty it is to oversee the maintenance of the church’s buildings and grounds, a Clerk who faithfully records all Vestry discussions and decisions for the public historical record, and a Treasurer who oversees church finances and works alongside the finance committee to ensure financial transparency and accountability within the congregation.

At the Advocate, our Vestry is composed of 6 people who seek to prayerfully discern how best to represent the diverse needs and perspectives of the people in our community. All Vestry members are elected to a 3-year term, with two members rotating off each year. 

Vestry members meet once a month (usually on the fourth Tuesday) in the Parish House to discuss issues and make decisions. We also meet once a year for an all-day retreat that includes visioning, development, and leadership training. 

To learn more about our church’s organizational structure and vestry, read The Episcopal Church of the Advocate’s official by-laws.

Class of 2026

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David Ames Herbert, Jr. Warden

Ames has been a member of the Church of the Advocate since 2018 and served on the Finance Committee, plays percussion during services, and is serving as Jr Warden, 2023-2026. As Jr Warden, he is responsible for maintaining the beautiful 100+ year-old wooden Chapel and 15-acre property with a pond, outdoor pavilion and wood-fired pizza/bread oven. His goal is to keep the spaces looking ‘loved’ and attractive to parishioners and visitors. Ames retired in 2017 from Virginia Tech where he was a Professor of Ag Entomology.  He enjoys making and marketing walking/hiking sticks at local craft markets, playing with a local band, spending time in beautiful natural areas, and being Papa to 6 grandchildren. Contact Ames

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Leah Frerichs, Community Outreach Liaison 

Leah has been a member of the Episcopal Church of the Advocates since 2017. She has served on the tech team and Altar Guild as well as participated in Justice United. She is especially passionate about building Beloved Community and brings a deep love for this to their service on the Vestry. In her professional life, Leah works as an Associate Professor of Health Policy & Management at the Gillings School of Global Public Health, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her free time she enjoys being goofy and laughing with her wife, cycling, and cuddling her three cats (whether they want her to or not). Contact Leah

Class of 2027

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Justine Post, Social & Events Liaison

Justine Post has been a member of Church of the Advocate since 2012 and is often found organizing social events or coordinating meals. She is trained as a social worker and currently works for a farm advocacy nonprofit. She lives near Saxapahaw with her husband Andrew, two daughters Dorothy and Edith, and their dog Bowie. Contact Justine

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Erin Dangler, Communication Liaison

Erin has been a member of Church of the Advocate since 2008 and has served as a Cantor, Children’s Minister and Passion Narrative Coordinator. She is especially passionate about nurturing relationships within the parish through shared leadership and growing intergenerational connections. In her professional life, Erin is an actor who also works in leadership development training and in her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and walking her dog, Tupper. Contact Erin

Class of 2028

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Peter J Morris, Senior Warden Contact Peter

Peter has been a member of the Advocate Church since 2005. He has served on the vestry multiple times, including several terms as Senior Warden. A Lay Eucharistic Minister, he has brought the sacrament to people at home, in nursing facilities, and in hospitals.

A pediatrician, epidemiologist, and hospital chaplain at Duke Raleigh Hospital, Peter is passionate about helping children and families flourish. He previously served as a public health officer, pediatric hospitalist, and executive director of Urban Ministries of Wake County.

In his free time, he enjoys listening to music, playing guitar, and reading fiction and nonfiction. He and his wife, Sara, have been married for 34 years and live in Fuquay Varina.

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Day Smith Pritchartt, Formation Liaison

Day has been a member of The Advocate for ten years and has been involved in Adult Formation, including Sacred Ground, Godly Play, Justice United, Readers’ Roundtable, and all of the worship ministries (except cantoring – she can’t carry a tune in a bucket!). She is especially passionate about intergenerational worship, and how the congregation’s worship may be renewed through it.  She brings a deep love for this community to her service on the Vestry. In her professional life, Day is recently retired and has worked in several Episcopal congregations in family formation. She also managed an Episcopal grant-making agency that immersed her in seminaries and leadership in the wider Episcopal church. In her free time she enjoys playing with her dogs, dining with neighbors and friends, and visiting her three adult daughters and their families. Contact Day.

The Clerk of the Vestry is Elizabeth Young
The Treasurer is Tim Pfeifer

Want to get involved? 

All active parishioners who have been confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church are eligible to sit on Vestry. Two members rotate off every year, leaving two new vacancies to fill annually. 

Vestry membership requires a 3-year commitment to active involvement in the life of the congregation. Candidates should be prayerful, proactive, and comfortable with occupying a leadership role in the community. 

If you feel called to participate in church leadership and would like to be considered for next year’s slate of vestry candidates, please contact the Senior Warden.